NW Art on the Loop Ride (C-/1/23)

How often do we ride the Loop trail, see what looks like artwork, and wonder what it is? This ride will introduce riders to some of the amazing artwork that can be found along the Loop trail. We’ll meet at 8:00 near the East River Road entrance to Brandi Fenton Park, at the Community Memorial Garden (32°16'25.6"N 110°55'08.2"W. Copy and paste these coordinates into Google maps and follow the directions to get to our meeting point). Before setting off on our ride at 8:30, we’ll tour the Angels Path Sculpture Walk and the Community Memorial Garden. Some of the featured artworks include:

Angels Path Sculpture Walk:

• Gabriel, 2024. Artist: John Benedict. Bicycle chains were used for the hair.
• Angel Bell Michael, 2023. Artist: Joseph Benedict.
• Angel of Motherly Love. Artist: Alex Heveri

Community Memorial Garden:

• Boy & Girl on Horse. Artist: The Large Art Company
• Two Kids on a Bench. Artist: The Large Art Company
• Memorial Butterfly Garden, 2006. Artist: Unknown.

We’ll then get on bikes and ride the Loop path past the following artworks on our way to Rillito Park:

• Over There, 2021. Artist: Al Glann (the stainless steel horse)
• Tracks and Trails Mural, 2023. Artists: Jessica Gonzales and Rock Martinez.

We’ll stop briefly at Rillito Park to see:

• Nature of Movement, 2015. Artist: Joshua Wiener.
• Subaerial Embrace, 2021. Artists: Zach Lihtash and Troy Neiman.

Next stop is at the Children's Memorial Park.

• The Magic Carpet. Artist: Nicholas Burke.
• Omni Primo, 1978. Artist: Joe Ventura

And we will stop briefly at:

• Sun Circle, 1994. Artists: Paul T. Edwards, Susan Holman, Chris Tanz

We’ll get back on the Loop trail and pass the following artworks on the way to our turn-around point and restroom break at North Camino De La Tierra Trailhead:

• Agave Walls, 2011. Artist: Vicki Scuri
• La Puerta, 2007. Artist: Rebecca Thompson (We may also stop here)
• Extreme Batty Biker, 2017. Artist: Stephen Fairfield

From our turn-around point, we’ll ride back to Rillito Park, stop there briefly, and then ride past the following artworks:

• Gateway Arch, 1997. Artist: Eric Lee Cooper
• Rillito Hawks, 2011. Artist: Joseph Lupiani
• Batty Biker Family, 2016. Artist: Stephen Fairfield

We will then stop across from the Tracks and Trails mural before continuing past these artworks:

• Towers of a Martian Odyssey, 2018. Artist: Art Neptune
• Atlas & the World, 2022. Artist: Al Glann.

Our final stop will be at the trailhead at Craycroft and River Road to see the following:

• Reflection, 2009. Artist: David Flynn

This ride is a social ride, at a casual pace (11-13 MPH average pace over the entire ride), on the Loop Trail. We'll regroup at each stop and no one will be left behind due to a mechanical problem.

PLEASE ALLOW 3-4 HOURS FOR THIS RIDE. WE WILL BE RIDING AT A SLOW PACE WITH FREQUENT STOPS.

Map Link: [https://ridewithgps.com/routes/53788487]

Ride Description:

1. Start/End: Community Memorial Garden at Brandi Fenton Park (GPS Coordinates: 32°16'25.6"N 110°55'08.1"W)
2. Meeting Time: 8:00; Start Time: 8:30 a.m. wheels rolling
3. Pace: 11-13 mph (ride average for 22 miles)
4. Terrain: Mostly Flat
5. Elevation Gain: 253 ft
6. Traffic: Very little (although we do need to watch out for other cyclists and pedestrians on the Loop Trail)
7. Ride Type: This is a social ride, lots of conversations, and regroupings as we will not drop anyone. Riders are expected to ride at the pace of the ride leader and between the ride leader and the sweep.
8. Water/Bathrooms: North Camino De La Tierra Trailhead and Craycroft and River Road Trailhead (9 and 20 miles)
9. Route: We’ll ride the Loop trail first to North Camino De La Tierra Trailhead, turn around and ride the Loop trail to the Craycroft and River Road Trailhead, then return to Brandi Fenton Park.

Safety:

1. Obey traffic laws. Drive your bike as you would your car.
2. No ear buds! This is a safety requirement; not a request.
3. CPSC approved helmets must always be worn while riding.
4. Please respect others while on the Loop Trail.
5. Use the phrase "bikes passing" or ring your bell when overtaking someone.
6. Use the phrase "walker/bike up" when approaching someone coming at us. This should be used when on narrow parts of multi-use paths.
7. Stay right of the centerline on multi-use paths.
8. Give at least 3 feet when passing someone walking or riding in the same direction.
9. Ride single file while going under the bridges.
10. The complete list of Loop Guidelines can be found here: Complete List of Loop Guidelines.

Bring:

1. Food & fluids for 2 hours - 2 24oz Bottles or Hydration Pack.
2. Bring a tube/patch kit and a way to inflate your tire (pump or CO2 cartridge).

Other:

1. Be sure your bike is in good mechanical condition.
2. The ride is NOT a high-paced training ride.
3. You are a representative of the greater cycling community and should therefore conduct yourself appropriately.
4. Please represent GABA well.
5. If you are not a member of our cycling club, please join: Sign Up Link

⬛ ⬛ ⬛ ⬛ Rider Information Requested ⬛ ⬛ ⬛ ⬛

If you have not sent me your contact information, please send me: Your name, phone number, emergency contact, and emergency contact phone number (NOT 911).

I will fill in the ride waiver prior to the ride. You will just need to verify the information and sign it.

No Plus 1's - Each participant must register through Meetup and provide their contact info beforehand.